Moltke Bridge
The Moltke Bridge adjacent to the Federal Chancellery is named after the Prussian Field Marshal General Count v. Moltke (1800-1891).
The bridge, built in 1891, consists of three crossed arches spanning the Spree, one arch over the left side of the Ladestraße at the Kronprinzen-Bank and one arch for a bank footpath. The facing as well as staircase facilities, railings, candelabra base and figures are made from red Main sandstone. Arches and pillars are made of clinker stonework.
The warlike trophies on the pillar heads stem from the sculptor Johann Boesen. At the one side of the bridge sitting on the keystones of the three main arches are the heads of the Prussian Field Marshal Generals Count v. Moltke (1800-1891), Prince Blücher v. Wahlstatt (1742-1819) and that of the Brandenburg Field Marshal General Baron v. Derfflinger (1606-1695). In the middle opening over the stream is Moltke's head and the two antique heads of Caesar and Athena depicted.
The Balustrade's bases carry candelabras, clad with child figures sculptures in war bonnets, which symbolise the war's hero virtues.
On the massive bases at the end of the bridge sit large raptors by the sculptor Piper, who are to safeguard the bridge. Each carries a copper shield with the coat-of-arms of Count v. Moltke, his home town Parchim, of Prussia and the city of Berlin.
The bridge in parts severely damaged during the 2nd World War provisional repaired in 1947 and 1983-1986 completely refurbished.
The bridge was planned and built during Count Moltke's lifetime in the years 1888 -1891. Moltke died just before its completion. The bridge was inaugurated with his funeral cortege.